New Delhi, Nov 28, : Pandit Bhajan Sopori, the cultural face of Jammu & Kashmir and legendary santoor maestro has been awarded the prestigious National Kalidas Samman 2020 award by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in recognition of his immense contribution to Hindustani Classical Music. The Madhya Pradesh Government made the announcement.
Pandit Bhajan Sopori will receive the Kalidas Award at Gwalior on Dec 29.The cash award for this honour is Rs 2 lakh
Pandit Bhajan Sopori, known as the Saint of Santoor and King of Strings, is regarded as the cultural bridge between Jammu & Kashmir and the rest of the country.He is a member of the legendary Sopori Sufiana Gaharana of Kashmir, an exclusive Santoor family with roots that go back more than 300 years.
He was the first to establish the Santoor on both national and international platforms.
He has made a significant contribution to history since being the first to perform Indian Classical music on the Santoor at concerts in the 1950’s.
He has spent nearly seven decades dedicated to his work, exploring various aspects of the Santoor and carrying out many innovative innovations.
He also established the Sopori Baaj in Indian Classical Music.
Pandit Bhajan Sopori has been honored with hundreds of awards, lifetime honours, titles, and decoration for his immense contributions.
These include the Padma Shri, Sangeet Naak Academy Award, J&K Government Lifetime Achievement Award 2016 and J&K State Award 2007.He also received an Honorary Doctorate from Utkal University of Culture in Odisha 2018.
Rashtriya Kalidas Samman was established in 1980.Since then, it has been bestowed on some of the greatest Indian Classical musicians like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Pandit Kishan Maharaj, Pandit V.G.Jog, Ustad Allarakha and Pandit Jasraj are among the many musical luminaries.
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